The firmware upgrade released on June 30th, 2015 enables the XF205 and XF200 camcorders to support video streaming over an IP network, a method that is widely used in the broadcasting industry to send and receive video signals. By sending video over the internet while it is being captured, users will be able to provide live transfers of footage to news programs and video-sharing sites. In addition, the upgrade will enable the camcorders to be used with Fujitsu's video transmission equipment, the Fujitsu Network IP-900IID and IP-920D HD/SD Compact Video Decoders¹ as well as software supporting IP streaming. Thanks to these new capabilities, users will be able to stream video over an IP network without having to alter existing video-capture and editing workflows, such as those employed at broadcasting stations.

The Fujitsu IP-900D / IP-900IID / IP-920D Basic Software UPDATE version V02L040 is available here.

1 The Fujitsu Network IP-900IID and IP-920D are scheduled to support the XF205 and XF200 CAMCORDER from April 2015.

The Fujitsu Network IP-900IID and IP-920D are trademarks of Fujitsu Limited, registered in Japan and other countries. Wi-Fi, the Wi-Fi logo, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED, the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo, Wi-Fi PROTECTED Setup, the Wi-Fi Protected Setup logo, WPA and WPA2 are brands and registered trademarks of the Wi-Fi Alliance. All other referenced product names, and other marks, are trademarks of their respective owners.

The XF205 professional camcorder features a highly versatile Genuine Canon 20x HD Video Lens that captures superb images with outstanding clarity at 900 TV lines of resolution. Offering a 35mm equivalent ZOOM of 26.8-576 mm, the optical zoom lens provides an extended RANGE that can prove ideal for wide-angle to extreme telephoto shooting. When compared to previous XF professional camcorder models, the XF205's flexible focal range and enhanced wide angle offer many creative options, even when working at a distance. An eight-blade circular aperture provides a natural and visually pleasing bokeh effect to out of focus highlights.

In addition, the XF205 features three separate, BANKED lens rings that provide independent control of critical focus, zoom and iris/aperture settings, with adequate separation to improve ease of use. Separate gain and white-balance toggle switches are provided. Also, the camera's zoom speed is now up to 1.8x faster than the XF105/XF100 professional camcorders, with three selectable zoom speeds for creative control.

* Minimum focal length is 26.8mm when Dynamic IS is OFF.
** Focal length range is 28.8~576mm when Dynamic IS is ON.

The XF205 professional camcorder features an Autofocus system with several useful modes, including Instant AF, which uses both the TTL-Video Signal Detection System and the external sensor, and Face Detection AF, which tracks the focus on any faces in the video frame, even if that subject is in profile. Also, a Minimum Object Distance (MOD) of just 23.6 inches is maintained at all zoom levels from wide-angle to telephoto, enabling flexible framing control even when shooting close-ups.

The XF205 professional camcorder's new Five-Axis Dynamic Super Range OIS system combines optical and electronic correction to help reduce image distortion- even when shooting while walking - for better looking videos. Standard Mode uses lens shift to provide constant compensation throughout the zoom range. Powered Mode helps improve vibration suppression at telephoto focal lengths. Dynamic Mode is specifically designed to stabilize the image when walking and shooting handheld by correcting simultaneously for roll, yaw and pitch.

The XF205 professional camcorder features an aluminum die-cast grip that can be rotated through a wide 120-degree angle in discrete 15-degree steps. Cinematographers and other operators can maintain a firm and comfortable hold of the camera at any shooting angle.

The XF205 professional camcorder's wide Dynamic Range Gamma of 600% helps prevent overexposure, even for high brightness areas of an image and/or with non-uniform colors. Unlike the normal knee function that compresses video signals in high brightness areas using linear gamma, a wide DR Gamma retains CONTINUITY across the image and enables color grading. And an eight-blade Circular Aperture designed using EF lens technology provides natural and nearly circular out-of-focus areas for enhanced bokeh, for example, during shoots of nighttime skylines.

For investigative reporting, surveillance and similar projects, the XF205 professional camcorder's infrared mode produces video images that are evenly illuminated from the center to each edge of the picture area. An improved, diffused LED is approximately three times brighter than the infrared light used on previous Canon XF models, providing greater usable distance range in dark shooting conditions. Users can choose between Green and White IR recording modes ACCORDING to personal preference. To prevent configuration or operating errors, the camera automatically turns off the IR LED when the user switches from infrared to normal video mode.

The XF205 professional camcorder features both a newly developed color viewfinder and a precision OLED panel. The tiltable, 0.45-inch viewfinder offers 1.23-megapixel resolution for improved visual display, making it possible to accurately check focus, framing, exposure, white balance and other camera settings. A wide, 28.2-degree viewing angle and high-definition imaging provide a comfortable shooting environment.

The 3.5-inch, touch-sensitive 1.23-megapixel Organic Electroluminescence (OLED) panel offers a number of user advantages over conventional backlit LCD-type displays, including a high contrast ratio, a wide viewing angle, high-speed response, SLIM dimensions and light weight.

Dual Codec Recording offers format choices that can be useful for various post-capture options. The DIGIC DV 4 Image Processor and multiple memory card slots enable simultaneous recording in high bit-rate MXF format and web-ready MP4 format at a variety of bit rates to suit the task at hand. MXF mode supports broadcast-ready Full HD 50 Mbps MPEG-2 shooting with 4:2:2 color sampling for high-quality chroma key compositing as well as 1440 x 1080 4:2:0 capture at 35 Mbps for specific applications. MP4 format supports 1080/60p at 35 Mbps for high definition capture of fast moving subjects, as well as reduced resolutions down to 640 x 360 at 1.5 or 3 Mbps for instant news reporting even when bandwidth is restricted.

Special recording modes can expand the range that visual images can express. Both slow- and fast-motion recording in MXF format is possible using the XF205 professional camcorder's pair of Compact Flash drives, at speeds up to 250% and down to 40% of real time. Such special effects can be perfect for such feature productions as music videos and wedding videos.

For enhanced flexibility, the XF205 professional camcorder supports MXF-format recording at a variety of data rates, including broadcast-friendly 1440 x 1080/60i video up to 35 Mbps. Images shot at 60i are remarkably clear, with reduced artifacts, even when scenes contain a lot of movement.

The XF205 offers several creative recording modes and flexible frame rates, including Interval Recording mode, which can be PROGRAMMED to shoot a specified number of video frames at pre‐defined intervals for interesting time‐lapse shoots, and Frame Record function, which captures a specified number of video frames each time RECORD mode is initiated during stop‐frame animation projects. Types and specifications of dual recording:

MXF files can be recorded onto the user's choice of one or two CF cards, while MP4 files (both still images and video data) are recorded independently to the SD card to support various workflows. The CF card slots can be CONFIGURED for either dual-slot or relay recording of MXF files. And to help ensure trouble-free back-ups, MP4 recording can be carried out simultaneously with dual-slot MXF recording.

Separate SDI, time code and genlock outputs help ensure easy connection of the XF205 professional camcorder to external storage and video-processing systems. An HD-SDI monitor port and a 3G-SDI port for external video recording handle unencrypted video up to 1080/60p with two-channel embedded audio and time code data at data rates up to 1.485 Gbps. Genlock or Sync Out ports help ensure accurate synchronization to external video systems, while time code IN/OUT ports enable frame-accurate synchronization during picture editing and post production.

Several network-enabled Ethernet functions, including browser control, browser preview and FTP transfers, can be implemented via the XF205 professional camcorder's built-in Wi-Fi® links that operate at both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz. Wi-Fi enables remote control and viewing during crane-mounted shoots, for example. Wi-Fi technology enables FTP file transfer to Cloud-based servers for convenient back-ups, or for situations where a relay station, such as a news truck, is not available, while the dual bands help ensure that the camcorders can send signals even in areas with increased signal interference.

It is also possible for the camcorder to connect to compatible networks, wireless hotspots and iOS® mobile devices using the free Canon Movie Uploader app*, or play back video on the camcorders' memory cards to Wi-Fi-enabled TVs and computers. Additionally, Wi-Fi technology allows remote control of key camcorder controls, exposure functions and focus settings, conveniently from your web browser when using a SMARTPHONE or tablet.

* This SOFTWARE enables you to upload images to social network sites. Before uploading images, please be aware that image files may contain privacy related information such as people and places. If necessary, please delete such information. Canon does not obtain, collect or use such images or any information included in such images through this software. Compatible with iOS version 5/6/7 for select devices. MP4 60p recordings are not supported for this function.

In addition to dual-frequency Wi-Fi® links, the XF205 professional camcorder features an Ethernet connector for quickly linking the camcorder to conventional wired local-area networks and wireless routers, thus enabling browser preview during shoots, in addition to FTP transfer of video files to an external PC or laptop. Browser-enabled remote control is also supported by CONNECTING TO a wireless router via Ethernet.

The XF205 professional camcorder can be controlled remotely from a normal Web browser running on a laptop, compatible SMARTPHONE or tablet device including record start/stop, AF/MF switching, focus/zoom settings and white-balance mode. Background transfer of MXF- and MP4-format video files via FTP links also is possible, enabling latest news images, for example, to be distributed quickly over the Internet, or utilized as pre-edited footage.

The XF205's function lets you pass video files via FTP; this Real‐Time Proxy Transfer mode enables remote control of key camera functions and transfer of proxy files. Using Canon's CameraAccess application, live video images can be viewed and/or recorded as MP4 proxy data and other operations controlled from a compatible SMARTPHONE or tablet device allowing news footage, for example, to be distributed and backed up. MP4 proxy files recorded on the compatible smartphone or tablet can be used to check material being captured at the remote location, and for news-flash footage. Live or recorded images can also be output via the camcorder's HD-SDI connectors.

The XF205 professional camcorder accommodates two- or four-channel recording of high-quality linear PCM audio sound at 16-bit/48 kHz sampling rate with individual level controls. Four-channel mode during MXF-format video recording enables a reporter's lavaliere microphone to be captured on one channel, for example, and the interviewee's mic on another channel, with two-channel ambience from the camera's built-in stereo microphone on channels 3 and 4. In addition, separate volume controls for the two XLR inputs enable the same source to be recorded at a lower level as backup.